Lord’s words dogged my every step. What is it about this girl?

The cabbie already had the cab door open and was about to help her inside when I shut the gate behind me.

“I got this, brother. Thanks.”

The cabbie, a guy on the younger side of thirty, held both hands in the air as he saw me stride toward him. “Sorry, man.”

Eden’s eyebrows were almost to her hairline when I finally slid into the seat next to her. “Was that necessary? He was being nice.”

“You can’t assume everyone is being nice. You have to be on the defensive. Life isn’t all cute kittens falling from the sky landing in big piles of cotton candy.”

I didn’t know where those words came from, but Eden’s laughter drowned out the hip-hop playing on the radio.

“Is that what you really think about me? I’m completely and totally naive and live in some kind of bubble?”

It took me less than two seconds to answer. “Yes.”

Eden crossed her arms under her tits, again making that little bit of cleavage turn into a hell of a lot more cleavage.

“Seriously? You’ve got to give me more credit than that.”

“Then don’t put yourself in situations where you’re alone in a cemetery at night in New Orleans.”

The cab driver piped up and added his own opinion. “Oh shit, you were in Lafayette at night? No fucking way, girl. That shit ain’t cool. You won’t last long ’round here if you keep that shit up.”

Eden frowned into the rearview mirror. “It was an accident, and I won’t be doing it again.”

“You’re right, because if you decide you’re going to go exploring this city at night, you’re calling me first.”

I didn’t know where the offer came from, but it was out before I could take it back. Did I want to take it back? If the alternative was Eden out wandering alone, hell no.

She laughed again, but this time it was harsher and a little fake. “Like you’re really going to make time in your schedule to help me explore anytime I want.” Eden flashed a forced smile at me. “I’ll just limit my exploration to the daytime, thanks.”

The cab driver turned into the Quarter and within a few minutes, slowed to a stop at a police barricade. “This is as far as I go.” He craned his neck around to face us through the Plexiglas window as he told her the total for the ride.

Eden slipped cash through the divider and thanked him before opening her door and stepping onto the sidewalk.

“Thanks, man,” I said.

“Keep that girl on a leash. It’d be a safer choice.”

“Only if I had a death wish.”

The cabbie’s booming chuckle faded when I slammed the door and strode after Eden, who was already fifteen feet ahead of me.

“Wait up, cupcake. I didn’t ride all the way over here for you to just walk off on your own.”

She spun around on the sidewalk and faced me. “You think I’m ridiculous. That I can’t fend for myself. I hate knowing that.”

With a grimace, I chose my words carefully. “I don’t think you’re ridiculous. I think you’ve gotten into some situations that you should’ve avoided.”

“You wish I would’ve avoided them because then you wouldn’t have to deal with me.”

She started off again but I was quicker. I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her back against me. “Don’t start putting words in my mouth. I never said I didn’t want to deal with you. Just the fucking opposite.”

Eden’s entire body stilled, and I wasn’t even sure she was breathing until she responded. “But all I do is cause you trouble.”

I thought of the sweet taste I’d gotten of her and how fucking badly I wanted more.

“Who said I didn’t like trouble?”

OH. MY. GOD. MY HEART hammered as Bishop’s soft breath coasted along my ear and sent chill bumps all over my skin and heat blooming in parts due south.

Who said I didn’t like trouble?

If this were some kind of date-night movie, I’d turn around and lean up on my tiptoes and kiss him, but I didn’t have the lady balls to do it.

“Are you gonna walk a little slower and let me actually see you home?”

I nodded, but then realized I should verbalize my response. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

Bishop released his hold around my waist, but reached down to grab my hand.

He’s holding my hand. He’s holding my hand! Why is he holding my hand?

My brain struggled to understand exactly what was happening. Basically, I was having a meltdown like a middle-school girl when the cute guy I had a major crush on held my hand.

I wasn’t sure whether I should laugh at myself for being pathetic or fist-pump the air because I was awesome.

I opted to not go for the fist pump. Playing it cool would work better, I assured myself.

As we walked the two and a half blocks to the Royal Sonesta, Bishop guided me around people and dogs and puddles of things I didn’t want identified. When we got to the corner of Bourbon Street, he pulled me in front of him and we walked as one.

The crowd parted before us as we made our way to the lobby door, but all I could think about was the heat against my back and the swirling questions in my brain.

Would he come up to my room? Did I want him to?

All my questions were answered when we reached the entrance and I pulled out my keycard to open the lobby door.

“Are you going back out tonight?” Bishop asked.

I shook my head. “No, I think I’ve had enough adventure for today.”

“Good. Take it easy. You decide you need more adventure, call me.”

I remembered the number he’d written on the note when he left this morning.

“I wouldn’t want to bother—” I started, but he cut me off.

“Call me. I wouldn’t say it just to say it. I’m not that guy.”

My heart thumped harder. “Okay. I’ll call.”

“Goodnight, Eden.” He turned and walked away, not melding into the crowd but drawing every eye as he made his way through it.

Goodnight, Eden.

That’s it? That’s all?

I got all the way up to my room, cursing the man-bunned giant, and pushed open the doors to my balcony. I dropped into the white chair and watched the people in the street.